ACCOMACK COUNTY VIRGINIA

The scenic Eastern Shore of Virginia is a 70-mile peninsula off of Virginia's coast, surrounded by the waters of the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Accomack County is located on the northern portion of the Eastern Shore, while Northhampton County is on the southern portion. The Coastal Virginia - Eastern Shore region is accessible via the 17.5-mile Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel.

Accomack County covers approximately 476 square miles of rich farmland, undisturbed beaches, expanses of marsh and forest, and small towns rich in history and culture. The county has a total area of 1,310 square miles -- 455 square miles is land and 855 square miles is water. It has miles of shoreline on both the Chesapeake Bay on the west and the Atlantic Ocean on the east, constituting one of the largest unspoiled wetlands habitat in the world.

Accomack County’s picturesque small towns and villages offer a modern-day refuge to those who seek the serenity of streets lined with Colonial- and Victorian-era homes and storefronts. The towns of Accomac and Onancock are designated State Historic Districts that feature restored Colonial architecture. Recreational opportunities attract fishermen, boaters, and beach-lovers to Accomack County and its pristine barrier islands. The Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean surroundings contribute to a unique and pleasurable lifestyle. Capitan’s Cove Resort is a recreational community located on the west shore of Chincoteague Bay, bordered by Maryland to the north.

The Nature Conservancy and the state and federal governments maintain a 45-mile stretch of oceanside barrier islands in their natural state. The public can access most of these islands. They are renowned for their expansive beaches, surrounding lush salt marshes, and great concentrations of shorebirds, seabirds, and migrating waterfowl. Also found in the county is the 9,000-acre Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. This refuge is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which permits swimming, hiking, fishing, bird watching, and provides narrated tours. The annual penning and auctioning of wild ponies in the area is a major event for the community. Thousands of people are drawn to the area each year for the weeklong celebration and carnival associated with pony penning.

Today, Accomack County is home to the Wallops Flight Facility, operated by the National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA). This flight facility supports NASA’s scientific research and provides for the development and launching of orbital and sub-orbital payloads.